Iran vs Turkey

Every indicator for Iran and Turkey side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorIranTurkeyDifference
Population (2025) (people)92,417,68185,878,556+7.6%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)3631,597−77.3%
GDP per capita ($)3,92418,599−78.9%
Life expectancy (years)77.977.4
Area (km²)1,745,150785,350+122.2%
Population density (people/km²)53109−51.6%
Median age (years)33.834.4
Internet usage (%)85.389.8
Unemployment rate (%)8.38.5
Inflation (%)42.234.9
Urban population (%)77.489.5
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)7,89224,979−68.4%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.011.92+4.7%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)12.55
Military expenditure per capita ($)85291−70.6%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)650,000512,000+27.0%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)7.06.0+18.0%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)2.351.61+46.0%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of Iran relative to Turkey; a positive value favors Iran. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.

Key differences

  • On population (2025), Iran is 7.6% higher than Turkey.
  • On gdp (nominal), Iran is 77.3% lower than Turkey.
  • On gdp per capita, Iran is 78.9% lower than Turkey.
Iran and Turkey — core indicators
020 mn40 mn60 mn80 mn100 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — Iran: 92.417.681GDP (nominal) — Iran: 363GDP per capita — Iran: 3.924Area — Iran: 1.745.150Population (2025) — Turkey: 85.878.556GDP (nominal) — Turkey: 1.597GDP per capita — Turkey: 18.599Area — Turkey: 785.350
IranTurkey

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving Iran or Turkey.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI